Liverpool Women’s Hospital has revealed over 100 men have come forward to have their ‘man boobs’ surgically removed since they began offering the services for private customers.

The surgery was offered to men last year as a way of raising more money to benefit NHS services at the hospital and tackle the problem of Gynecosmastia, commonly known as ‘moobs’.

And Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the hospital, Mr Rizwan Alvi, says the demand for male breast surgery is growing, with more males than ever becoming aware of their unwanted assets.

Mr Alvi said: “Male breast reduction is something that is more in demand and more men are becoming aware of their bodies and more concerned about how they look.

“I think it is also part of the gym culture we have now. If they feel their chest is too big and feminine then they don’t like taking their top off at the gym or on the beach.”

Men who turn to the Women’s Hospital for surgery are assessed in order to establish whether they are suffering from Gynecosmastia.

But the hospital says they will always encourage men to opt for changes to diet and exercise if the problem is deemed too minor for surgery.

Mr Alvi added: “We do try to discourage men who don’t really have a problem and who come in for minor changes. We try to encourage them to achieve that look through diet and exercise.”

Mr Rizwan Alvi

A surgeon for over 20 years, Mr Alvi explained the medical reasons behind males developing ‘moobs’ and how the physical condition can lead to emotional trauma for many men.

He added: “Quite a lot of men develop some degree of breast tissue when they go through puberty and as their hormones change.

“All men have breast tissue, but in males the breast glands never grow, but if a man is left with breast growth they may need surgery.

“Breast growth can mean they are being teased by their friends or they don’t feel comfortable undertaking exercise. The most common reason is they say they can’t take their children swimming or they can’t go to the beach with their family.”

The hospital revealed they needed to think creatively if they were to raise money to enhance NHS care, but were determined that any extension of their private arm would not encroach on free NHS services.

Speaking about the new male breast reduction surgery, Mr Alvi said: “It raises extra cash to be spent on NHS services. There have been a number of hospitals in the NHS, and the Women’s is one of them, where a private wing has been functioning for the last 8-10 years.

“The service has never overlapped with other normal expectations delivered on the NHS services, and NHS is not designed to provide cosmetic surgery anyway.”

What you need to know about Moobs

Man boobs are not just a problem affecting overweight men. Gynecosmastia can affect men regardless of their weight.

Some men believe using weights will get rid of their man boobs, but if there is a genuine Gynecosmastia, then weights just won’t do the trick.

Surgery to reduce male breasts can be as a minor as some quick liposuction or as extensive as a 2-3 hour operation.

Gynescosmastia can even be present in young babies and develop later in life.

Moobs can be caused by certain prescribed medicines such as medication to treat stomach ulcers or diabetes.